Hey Humans! It is me, Alyssa, here. It looks like the city of Ashtabula, Ohio & Canada like you all quite a bit. They’ve put us on the inter-web, in print, & on the radio waves. And while, as you can see, I am quite behind in posting (I apologize- the rest are coming soon, I promise)- I rolled into Owen Sound, Ontario late last night-the ultimate terminus on the Underground Railroad. I’m hunkering down for a couple of days to soak it all in, before heading down to Ann Arbor, Michigan. My final destination. Whew. What a ride. My legs need a little rest. Keep in touch on here. Hearing from each of you makes my day. Love to you all!

Marking another piece of history. Tracing route of underground railroad. @humansoftheUR shared her journey from U-S to #OwenSound. (if my voice isn’t too terribly annoying when I listen to it, I’ll post the Podcast when it is available as well)

“We came here back in high school and after we were here, our principal was really impacted by this painting. He wanted it up in our school. So he got transparencies of it. The both of us were interested in art, so we helped out and painted it at our high school. It took us two to three months, and it was a lot of work. But it is still there today. We came back today to the museum with our university. We are seniors this year.”

“We have to change our actions, here and today. When we continue to live in the past, we are in a stand still. We continue to objectify others and live in a time that we are better than… it makes me sick sometimes. We’ve got to live every day in the pursuit of freedom for all.”

“People are often times really emotional when they come out of the Museum. Lots of times there are tears in people’s eyes. Especially when they come out of the genealogy exhibit. You can track your history and your family roots there. I remember one time, a woman came out- she was in tears. She had just found out she was part black. It was really emotional for her and us. This is a really important place for people to come and learn about the people, the movement and what is going on today.” Standing in front of the Center’s large collection of books on slavery, the underground railroad and black history open to the public.

What should be today’s ‘Underground Railroad’ movement? “We need to ensure that we have a minimum wage that works for every person. Some people are working three to four jobs just to maintain a standard of living. It is unjust. We need jobs for all and structures in place to end the economic disparities present in our communities. They are very real.” Found taking a picture with her husband in front of the “Runaway Slave Exhibit” sign, a list of documented freedom seekers who made the journey northward. “‘Grimes’… you know, honey, that was my mother’s last name…”

What should be today’s ‘Underground Railroad’ movement? “A complete re-haul of our pubic education system. We should have a reverse integration movement of our education and our bussing systems. We need to put education back to the communities. And put the teachers back in the community in which they want to teach. This forced integration is not what our country needs. We need teachers and communities that work for the kids and know how to teach the kids.”